The New South Wales Minister for Medical Research, Jillian Skinner, has announced the establishment of the Medical Devices Fund and called for applications to support the development and commercialisation of medical devices in NSW.

 

The NSW Government had committed $5 million annually for a new Medical Devices seeding fund to support the development of medical devices to further better treatment options and patient outcomes, but this has been boosted in its inaugural year, 2012-2013 to make $8 million available.

 

“This fund will foster the design and development of medical devices while also promoting their potential uses and benefits,” Ms Skinner said.

 

“Investment in quality medical research, including the development of medical devices and technology, supports innovative clinical outcomes as well as contemporary methods of care for patients.”

 

The Medical Devices Fund will support individuals, public and private hospitals, medical research institutes, universities, other public sector research organisations and the medical devices industry to take local innovations to a worldwide market.

 

Applications for the Medical Devices Fund will open next week and preliminary applications close on 10 October 2012.

Ms Skinner announced that the NSW Government has appointed an Expert Group to assess projects, chaired by Professor Mary O’Kane, NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer.

 

“Professor O’Kane, NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, will be the inaugural chair of the Medical Devices Fund Expert Group, which will oversee the evaluation of grant applications to the fund.

 

Professor O’Kane is a former member of the Australian Research Council, the CSIRO Board, and the Co-operative, Research Centres Committee, and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Adelaide.

Other members of the  Expert Group are:

 

  • Mr Neville Mitchell, CFO, Cochlear Limited
  • Dr Bob Frater AO, Vice President, Innovation, ResMed Ltd
  • Mr Michael Still, North Sydney LHD Board Member, Company Director
  • Mr Adam Spencer, science guru and radio announcer

 

Further details regarding the Medical Devices Fund, including the Expert Group and Application Kit are available at www.health.nsw.gov.au/ohmr/ or via email atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..